Best Waterfalls in Alaska: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
Lisa Sammons
Author
Practically all of Alaska is a natural wonder, if you ask us, and compiling a list of bucket-list attractions within The Last Frontier is certainly not an easy task. Our state is teeming with beauty, whether you love the epic scenery of our mountain ranges or our countless miles of hiking trails. One thing that pretty much any nature lover can agree on is that there are some remarkably stunning Alaskan waterfalls. Next time you find yourself Googling “waterfalls near me,” here are a few that you might want to check out:
Tallest Waterfalls In Alaska
First off, a caveat: there are dozens of named waterfalls in Alaska, but some of the very tallest cascades are not easily reachable. In this section, we’ve done our best to pick out some of the more towering waterfalls that can still be reached (or at least seen) by a typical hiker. If you’re looking to find the biggest waterfalls in Alaska, here are some of the best:
1. Ebner Falls
The Perserverance Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike in Juneau that is perfect for waterfall lovers, as you'll actually get to see two cascades on the trail. This place also has quite a bit of history: it was the very first road built in Alaska, and was home to a railroad that went up to Perserverance Mine. The trail is great for both hikers and mountain bikers, and the view of Ebner Falls is quite lovely. The stunning falls are about 150 feet or so, falling in two sections. It's also a great spot for a picnic!
2. Nugget Falls
One of the great things about Alaska's remote and rugged landscape is that "Alaska popular" doesn't mean anywhere near the crowds you'll find at popular destinations in the lower 48. Nugget Falls is a two-tiered waterfall fed by Nugget Creek. It drops an impressive 377 feet in total and is interesting because it is both fed by runoff from a glacier (Nugget Glacier feeds into Nugget Creek) and lands in Mendenhall Lake (which is fed by the Mendenhall Glacier). The falls can be reached by an easy hike that includes plenty of wildlife.
3. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is perhaps most famous for the ice-climbing festival that's held here each winter when the falls freeze over. It's magnificent sight at any time of year, and it's no surprise it made CNN's list of the Best Waterfalls in America. Valdez is a small town right on Prince William Sound, but it's certainly worth a visit to catch a glimpse of this towering natural wonder.
4. Pitchfork Falls
Pitchfork Falls towers over 100 feet above the surrounding landscape. This is a powerful waterfall that you can hear roaring from miles away. The falls are deep in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, and the pristine surroundings only add to their mesmerizing beauty.
Best Waterfall Hikes In Alaska
Hiking, especially out here in Alaska, can be pretty tough. The terrain is difficult, and it’s certainly not for everyone! However, even the most ardent of couch potatoes has to admit there’s something about a waterfall hike that leaves you completely satisfied and feeling like all of the effort was worth it. If you’re looking to check out some of the best waterfall trails in Alaska, make sure to visit our friends at AllTrails for photos and trail maps, plus reviews of some of the state’s most popular hikes.
5. South Fork Falls
While many of us prefer to check out Alaska's waterfalls in the spring and summer, when the snowmelt has the flow at its most powerful, the stunning South Fork Falls is one of our favorite winter hikes in Alaska. Located just north of Anchorage, this beautiful cascade is reached by an easy .7-mile hike that's got very little elevation gain and is perfect for the whole family. The falls measure about 60 feet in height.
6. Rainbow Falls
The Rainbow Falls Trail is a magnificent 1.4-mile out-and-back trail through a scenic rain forest that boasts amazing waterfall views. Does it get much better than that?! Note that due to the steep elevation gain, this is considered a moderately challenging hike. You can learn more about the Rainbow Falls Trail at AllTrails.
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7. Russian River Falls
Looking for a fairly trail that the entire family can enjoy? The Russian River Falls Trail is a bit long at 4.7 miles, but it's got very little elevation gain and takes you to a beautiful observation platform that overlooks the stunning falls. Visit during the summertime and you might see salmon or even brown bears out hunting, but this is a gorgeous trail to enjoy at any time of year. There's a small parking lot off the access road to the Russian River Campground on Sterling Highway - park there and you'll be at the trailhead.
8. Cedar Falls
The Cedar Falls Trail is pretty rigorous, but it's a beautiful hike that's definitely worth the effort. The entire seven-mile-long round trip trail will take you all the way to Swan Lake. Cedar Falls is one of the state's most stunning waterfalls, especially after heavy rains, when the flow is intense. This is one that's worth taking a road trip for if you love hiking!
Accessible Waterfalls In Alaska
We love a good long trek through the woods, but we realize it’s not for everyone. Some of us might be out of shape, or not particularly active, and many are wheelchair users or out with little ones in strollers. Fortunately, there are some wonderful accessible waterfalls in Alaska that require little (sometimes no!) hiking. These are perfect when you’re looking for an easy-breezy natural wonder that won’t take all day.
9. Horsetail Falls
It can sometimes feel like all the natural wonders in Alaska require a bit of effort to reach them - our backcountry can be quite harsh, after all. One waterfall that definitely doesn't fit into that category is the beautiful Horsetail Falls. It's tucked away in Keystone Canyon and it's one of the most accessible waterfalls in Alaska: you can practically drive right up to it! Horsetail Falls is a 330-foot wall of powerfully-rushing water, and it's quite the sight to see in person.
10. Ketchikan Creek Falls
The Ketchikan area is famous for its salmon, and Ketchikan Creek is the place to see them (at least in the summertime). To reach Ketchikan Creek Falls, all you have to do is walk to the end of Ketchikan Creek Road and you'll enjoy a great view of this beautiful cascade.
Best Waterfalls Near Anchorage
As the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage has quite a few residents and visitors. While many of the tourists are attracted to the city’s rich culture and man-made attractions, there’s still plenty of nature to be found near the City of Lights and Flowers. Check out a few of our favorite waterfalls near Anchorage, AK:
11. McHugh Falls
McHugh Falls might not be quite as impressive as some of the larger falls on this list, but its easy access makes it worth a quick visit. The 20-foot falls are just after the entrance to Chugach State Park along the Seward Highway. While the falls themselves cannot be accessed, you can get a great look at them from a small parking area, and there's no hiking required at all.
12. Thunderbird Falls
Thunderbird Falls are also located in Chugach State Park. While there is a bit more of a hike to reach this one, it's an easy, family-friendly trail that everyone can enjoy. The level trail has very little elevation gain and is only about 1.8 miles - it's even suitable for kids. This is an absolutely beautiful trail, and the 200-foot waterfall is the crown jewel of the hike.
Wow! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get out and explore! How many of these Alaskan waterfalls have you seen in person?
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